Another terrible sleep last night. I ended up reading for a couple of hours ... finished reading Sheldon Siegel's, Final Verdict. He is a lawyer who writes legal thrillers. I will read more of his books. I also started Catherine Cookson's, The Bonny Dawn. The reading is easy. One of my 'breast' friends loaned me about six of her books to read.
Some of the other books I'm reading include ... my neighbors son who is about 14 also borrowed me a couple of children's books. I thought is was very sweet. The books are by Eoin Colfer and mix fiction and fantasy ... dealing with fairies, goblins, elfs, gnomes and more. This wouldn't be something I would generally pick up and read but I found them enjoyable. The books are Artemis Fowl and Artemis Fowl, The Artic Incident.
I like to have a few books on the go ... a least one fiction and one non-fiction. For non-fiction, I'm reading The World Is My Home Memoir by James A. Mitchner. It is a thick book and I may be a while reading it. It is a book I bought years ago but never read.
My stash of books ready to be read is pretty good. Once again, I had some books at home that I bought years ago but just never got around to reading and now is the time. Secondly, the Cross Cancer Institue has a book sale once a month or so ... that sells soft and hard cover books for $1.00. You can't beat that price. I picked up about 5 more books. Which reminds me, if you do have books that you no longer need, and live in Edmonton, please drop them off at the Cross Cancer Institute as the books are sold and funds raised goes to cancer research.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
A nice Fall day ...
We have been getting some great weather in Edmonton for November ... no snow and temperatures over 0 degrees Celsius during the day. Who could ask for more? This morning I went out and treated myself to a new vest.
This afternoon I spent time reading. I noticed the effects of the steroids is causing my vision to blur ... which means my reading will be limited for about a week until I get back to normal. Yesterday I spoke of a twitching eye ... today I have the shakes ... my hands. Unfortunately, the steroids are not an option and I must take them all.
My research nurse called today to discuss the next treatment and we briefly talked about how I was feeling. She asked if I thought the symptoms were getting easier because my body is getting used to the chemo. I agreed and said it might also be that I am drinking more water, eating better, resting more, etc then the first few cycles. It is hard to pin-point what it is but whatever it is ... I'm happier.
The only symptom that really gets me is the bad sleeps. I have woken up around 2:00 am or 3:00 am and have been up for hours. Generally falling asleep for short periods (1/2 hour) or falling asleep after being awake for a couple of hours. I end up feeling pretty good in the morning but I know it is due to the drugs. Tonight I finish my meds and tomorrow my energy level will go into the sewer. I generally don't blog too much during this part of the cycle because .... with a low energy level comes major mood swings. Sometimes the thoughts get very negative. I know I only have to get through a couple of days and nights and I start feeling better once again.
Next week, my schedule is purposely limited because the second week after treatment is where the fatigue is the greatest.
Well I do still have a bunch of energy and am going to take advantage of it ... fun stuff like laundry and ironing. I must say I enjoy it .... doing stuff. Makes me feel healthy and normal.
This afternoon I spent time reading. I noticed the effects of the steroids is causing my vision to blur ... which means my reading will be limited for about a week until I get back to normal. Yesterday I spoke of a twitching eye ... today I have the shakes ... my hands. Unfortunately, the steroids are not an option and I must take them all.
My research nurse called today to discuss the next treatment and we briefly talked about how I was feeling. She asked if I thought the symptoms were getting easier because my body is getting used to the chemo. I agreed and said it might also be that I am drinking more water, eating better, resting more, etc then the first few cycles. It is hard to pin-point what it is but whatever it is ... I'm happier.
The only symptom that really gets me is the bad sleeps. I have woken up around 2:00 am or 3:00 am and have been up for hours. Generally falling asleep for short periods (1/2 hour) or falling asleep after being awake for a couple of hours. I end up feeling pretty good in the morning but I know it is due to the drugs. Tonight I finish my meds and tomorrow my energy level will go into the sewer. I generally don't blog too much during this part of the cycle because .... with a low energy level comes major mood swings. Sometimes the thoughts get very negative. I know I only have to get through a couple of days and nights and I start feeling better once again.
Next week, my schedule is purposely limited because the second week after treatment is where the fatigue is the greatest.
Well I do still have a bunch of energy and am going to take advantage of it ... fun stuff like laundry and ironing. I must say I enjoy it .... doing stuff. Makes me feel healthy and normal.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Cycle 5
Chemo went well. I always get a bed for comfort. A volunteer came by to raise the back of the bed to my liking ... offered me coffee, tea or water ... asked if I needed anything else. I have to say the volunteers at the Cross Cancer are outstanding. The nurse asked if I had taken all my steroids as prescribed. This was my opportunity to confirm if I was taking them properly ... the wording on the prescription was a bit vague ... apparently, I wasn't taking them correctly. No troubles, we got it straightened out. Between the volunteer and the nurse, I felt spoiled. They really care.
The movies I watched on my portable DVD player ... Oceans Eleven and Oceans Twelve ... were great. I would highly recommend them.
I feel great today because, as usual, I am pumped on steroids. In fact my left eye lid is twitching right now and will likely do that off and on for about 8 days.
The movies I watched on my portable DVD player ... Oceans Eleven and Oceans Twelve ... were great. I would highly recommend them.
I feel great today because, as usual, I am pumped on steroids. In fact my left eye lid is twitching right now and will likely do that off and on for about 8 days.
Monday, November 3, 2008
CT scan results
Well, the results are good ... the tumors either shrunk or stayed the same size. The oncologist said something like ... we could say these are good results and that the chemo is working. We are headed in the right direction ... what more can I ask for. Next scan will be in 6 weeks.
Tomorrow is chemo day. I have my meds ready to go. I have my portable DVD player all charged up. The movies I borrowed from the public library are ... Ocean's Eleven and Ocean's Twelve. Generally two movies does it but I have extras for the times when chemo ends up being 4 or 5 hours long ... for whatever reason.
This past weekend I spent time surfing the net for other cancer blogs. I added a couple to the list of blogs I follow. It is interesting to see how other people deal with this awful disease.
Needless to say, it was an emotionally draining weekend ... waiting for the results of my scans ... my neck and shoulders still ache from the stress and .... reading some of the blogs ... brings the reality home.
As one lady wrote in her blog ... the day before chemo ... see you on the other side.
Tomorrow is chemo day. I have my meds ready to go. I have my portable DVD player all charged up. The movies I borrowed from the public library are ... Ocean's Eleven and Ocean's Twelve. Generally two movies does it but I have extras for the times when chemo ends up being 4 or 5 hours long ... for whatever reason.
This past weekend I spent time surfing the net for other cancer blogs. I added a couple to the list of blogs I follow. It is interesting to see how other people deal with this awful disease.
Needless to say, it was an emotionally draining weekend ... waiting for the results of my scans ... my neck and shoulders still ache from the stress and .... reading some of the blogs ... brings the reality home.
As one lady wrote in her blog ... the day before chemo ... see you on the other side.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Mind Your Memory
Today I was at the Cross Cross Institute at the Mind Your Memory course or session. The course is to help understand and cope with what we call 'chemo brain'. Chemo brain is used to describe forgetfulness, absentmindedness, and inability to focus when performing daily tasks. Simple things like forgetting common words, remembering simple details like where you parked, trouble concentrating like having to read pages of a book over and over again, and so on. It seems to be worst with short-term memory.
So the question is ... do you have to have chemotherapy to have chemo brain?
The facilitators said it is difficult to say because there are so many causes of these symptoms ... such as .... fatigue, depression, grief, pain, stress, anxiety, worrying, medication, hormonal changes, and so on.
They offered some coping strategies that can help make this easier to deal with ... like making lists, use a journal or organizer, etc. The nutritionist stressed that proper diet helps with improving brain function and exercise helps with fatigue.
For myself, my short-term memory is terrible, I have to write everything down or it is gone. However, I am taking a college course and did really well on the mid-term exam and have no trouble doing the weekly assignments. So even though you feel like you cannot remember anything at all, you can. Granted, I am not working and have a lot of time to spend on it.
My motivation came from a story where after being diagnosed with cancer and getting chemo, a lady in here 30's when back to school and became a doctor. I figured if she could become a doctor, I should be able to take some college courses.
So the question is ... do you have to have chemotherapy to have chemo brain?
The facilitators said it is difficult to say because there are so many causes of these symptoms ... such as .... fatigue, depression, grief, pain, stress, anxiety, worrying, medication, hormonal changes, and so on.
They offered some coping strategies that can help make this easier to deal with ... like making lists, use a journal or organizer, etc. The nutritionist stressed that proper diet helps with improving brain function and exercise helps with fatigue.
For myself, my short-term memory is terrible, I have to write everything down or it is gone. However, I am taking a college course and did really well on the mid-term exam and have no trouble doing the weekly assignments. So even though you feel like you cannot remember anything at all, you can. Granted, I am not working and have a lot of time to spend on it.
My motivation came from a story where after being diagnosed with cancer and getting chemo, a lady in here 30's when back to school and became a doctor. I figured if she could become a doctor, I should be able to take some college courses.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Just got up from a snooze ...
What a difference a nap makes ...
This week I've napped for about an hour each afternoon. I sure have enjoyed it but it kind of interferes with the night's sleep. I end up dreaming and wake up not well rested.
This morning I had my CT scan at the Cross. They make you drink this fluid that I say .... lights you up from the inside out. I think it's like 8 cups of liquid, you have to drink, in 45 minutes. Yuk! The waiting rooms were busy as ever. One lady said to me ... you have to drink all that? 5 minutes later, she was given the same amount. We laughed about it. One other guy said ... if it was beer, he would have no trouble drinking it. It is nice that we can joke about it.
This week I've napped for about an hour each afternoon. I sure have enjoyed it but it kind of interferes with the night's sleep. I end up dreaming and wake up not well rested.
This morning I had my CT scan at the Cross. They make you drink this fluid that I say .... lights you up from the inside out. I think it's like 8 cups of liquid, you have to drink, in 45 minutes. Yuk! The waiting rooms were busy as ever. One lady said to me ... you have to drink all that? 5 minutes later, she was given the same amount. We laughed about it. One other guy said ... if it was beer, he would have no trouble drinking it. It is nice that we can joke about it.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Flushing the Central Line (CVC)
Once a week the CVC I have needs to be flushed with Heparin. Thou I was trained to do this, I have my sister who is an nurse ... take care of this for me. I have a prescription for the dressing, needles, heparin, syringes, medical tape, etc .... that I get from the pharmacy. Besides, the flushing, maintenance on the CVC is quite simple and I've really gotten used to it.
I get this flushed after chemo and chemo is usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday (3-week rotation). That is why today is flush day.
This afternoon, I'm at the Cross Cancer for the last of the Poetry Support Group meeting. I will miss the group meetings.
Tonight I'm having supper with a breast cancer survivor that went through treatment the same time I did back in 2000. She is cancer free and doing real well. We have kept contact by having suppers together every few months.
Tomorrow, I have a CT scan to see how the tumors are doing. I've had one scan since my chemo started in August and the tumors have shrunk a bit. I'm hoping for the same results with this scan. Below I've included a bit of a discription of a CT scan ... given to me by the Cross Cancer.
How is a Computed Tomogram (CT) scan done?
You lie on a padded table which slides into the opening of the CT machine. The technologies will ask you to hold your breath during scans to avoid blurring the images. You may hear a noise during each scan while the x-ray machine is taking your pictures.
The average CT scan takes about 20 minutes, however, preparation time can vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour before the actual scan.
Prior to the scan, the radiologist may request your consent for an injection of a colourless contrast medium (x-ray dye) to show up certain parts of your body.
I get this flushed after chemo and chemo is usually on a Tuesday or Wednesday (3-week rotation). That is why today is flush day.
This afternoon, I'm at the Cross Cancer for the last of the Poetry Support Group meeting. I will miss the group meetings.
Tonight I'm having supper with a breast cancer survivor that went through treatment the same time I did back in 2000. She is cancer free and doing real well. We have kept contact by having suppers together every few months.
Tomorrow, I have a CT scan to see how the tumors are doing. I've had one scan since my chemo started in August and the tumors have shrunk a bit. I'm hoping for the same results with this scan. Below I've included a bit of a discription of a CT scan ... given to me by the Cross Cancer.
How is a Computed Tomogram (CT) scan done?
You lie on a padded table which slides into the opening of the CT machine. The technologies will ask you to hold your breath during scans to avoid blurring the images. You may hear a noise during each scan while the x-ray machine is taking your pictures.
The average CT scan takes about 20 minutes, however, preparation time can vary from 30 minutes to 1 hour before the actual scan.
Prior to the scan, the radiologist may request your consent for an injection of a colourless contrast medium (x-ray dye) to show up certain parts of your body.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
99 Balloons
If anyone watched Oprah today, you would have seen this video off you-tube .... 99 Balloons. It is worth watching.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Mind your memory and energize
Today I registered for a couple of classes or courses at the Cross Cancer. One is called Mind Your Memory and the other is Energize.
Mind Your Memory offers information on how cancer and cancer treatments may affect memory, proper nutrition for good memory and how to maximize memory.
Energize offers information on cancer-related fatigue, proper nutrition and the importance of exercise in helping to manage fatigue.
The memory is terrible after a cancer diagnosis. My thoughts are that it is the stress of the information that causes the poor memory. I used to blame it on chemo but my opinion has changed. I still enjoy blaming it on the chemo because it is an easy out ... 'chemo brain'.
The fatigue is caused by the chemo. It just takes the energy out of your body, your thoughts, and your enthusiasm. I just don't really want to do much .... especially the second week after a treatment. I've mentioned it before, that is when the fatigue is the worst.
Mind Your Memory offers information on how cancer and cancer treatments may affect memory, proper nutrition for good memory and how to maximize memory.
Energize offers information on cancer-related fatigue, proper nutrition and the importance of exercise in helping to manage fatigue.
The memory is terrible after a cancer diagnosis. My thoughts are that it is the stress of the information that causes the poor memory. I used to blame it on chemo but my opinion has changed. I still enjoy blaming it on the chemo because it is an easy out ... 'chemo brain'.
The fatigue is caused by the chemo. It just takes the energy out of your body, your thoughts, and your enthusiasm. I just don't really want to do much .... especially the second week after a treatment. I've mentioned it before, that is when the fatigue is the worst.
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